Suave: In my journey from solitary confinement to a Pulitzer, access to education and tech was key

I entered prison at the age of 17, with a life sentence for a crime I didn’t commit. I couldn’t read or write and had an IQ of 56. Three decades later, I walked out with a bachelor’s degree from Villanova University and a Pulitzer Prize for my podcast, Suave, which focuses on reentering society after prison.

My educational journey began in solitary confinement, a harsh environment with little hope. I didn’t want to rely on others to read my mother’s letters to me while I was there, so I decided to teach myself how to read, no matter how long it took.

I was fortunate that my facility had barred cells, so with help from a mentor I could communicate with, I achieved my goal in six months. That was a big turning point that helped me realize that education could liberate me in ways the system never could, especially as I learned English as a second language.

However, my journey came with challenges. I took the GED exam seven times before I passed. On the day I got my GED, I enrolled in a college program. Sixteen years later, I earned my bachelor’s degree in education and marketing. That was another pivotal moment that opened doors I never thought possible.

But make no mistake — these opportunities are rare and extremely challenging given the cards that justice-impacted individuals are dealt. Many incarcerated people never get a chance to continue their education, particularly since access to technology in prison is limited.

The digital divide is one of the greatest barriers to successful reentry. Many individuals in correctional facilities have never used a computer or a smartphone. Yet when we return to society, we’re expected to navigate a digital world. From accessing basic services to applying for jobs, technological literacy is critical. Most incarcerated people simply don’t have access to learn or practice these digital skills.

» READ MORE: He learned how to read behind bars. Now he wants other returning citizens to go to college | Helen Ubiñas

That is what ignited a passion in me to work with I Am More, a reentry engagement program at Philadelphia Community College that ensures justice-impacted individuals have access to education, support systems, and tools to help in reentry. The students I work with often begin their educational journey while incarcerated, using Securus tablets that make coursework accessible, so that they can build skills to prepare to come home.

Our program, which started with three students now has 130, showing firsthand the massive potential of connecting incarcerated individuals to educational opportunity, particularly digital learning. I Am More focuses on building skills, changing mindsets, and preparing individuals for successful reintegration into society. It provides support services that facilitate the transition from incarceration to college, while helping coordinate the student’s basic needs: where they will stay, how they will get to school, and where they can do homework. Addressing those concerns head-on eliminates the worry and uncertainty that can hinder success.

We must expand access to education and technology in prisons to benefit incarcerated individuals and society at large.

Despite these positive outcomes, too many prisons still deny inmates access to education and technology. The system views learning as a privilege, not a right — but denying people access to education fuels a revolving door where individuals come home, cannot find stable employment or reintegrate into their communities, and return to the system. Education breaks that cycle — leading to a 14.8% decrease in the likelihood of recidivism.

We must expand access to education and technology in prisons to benefit incarcerated individuals and society at large. Denying people the tools to succeed fails everyone. Tech, including tablets, can bridge the gap for incarcerated individuals, offering online education and digital literacy programs that give them the chance to rebuild their lives.

It also connects them to stories like mine.

Education and access to technology gave me a sense of purpose and hope that one day I could make a difference. That allowed me to succeed once I left prison. No one should be denied that opportunity, and that invitation to hope.

David Luis “Suave” Gonzalez is a formerly incarcerated individual who turned his life around through education. He earned a degree from Villanova University after spending 31 years in a correctional facility, and upon his release in 2017, he became a Pulitzer Prize-winning podcaster.